Worker’s compensation woes exposed

Of note: This week, we highlight one of our stories, which reports that some injured workers in Wisconsin are having a harder time qualifying for worker’s compensation after appointees of Gov. Scott Walker took full control of the Labor and Industry Review Commission, which hears such disputes. In another story, featuring photos by the Center’s own Coburn Dukehart, NPR reports that Wisconsin is among the states that do not ban evictions during cold weather months.

WisconsinWeekly is produced by us, Andy and Dee J. Hall, a couple who founded the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. Andy is the executive director and Dee is the managing editor.

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In our latest report for our Broken Whistle series, the Center details why it is difficult for some injured workers to receive compensation. In one case, an employee at Kohler Co. suffered a brain injury after an 80-pound toilet fell on his head at work. Despite his doctors and an administrative law judge finding that he is fully and permanently disabled, a state panel denied Richard Decker worker’s compensation, siding with doctors hired by Kohler.

There are approximately 2.7 million eviction cases across the United States each year, with about 12,000 in Milwaukee County alone. Many of these evictions take place regardless of the season, leaving some families out on the streets in harsh winter temperatures. This story features photography from our digital and multimedia director, Coburn Dukehart.

The Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum, launched on Dec. 13, is joining other Midwestern energy groups aiming to change the conservative discussion of clean energy. The group hopes to shift elected officials’ debate on energy to focus on the jobs that could be created by increasing use of renewable energy sources that are cost-competitive with fossil fuels.

City officials in Madison have terminated a $512,000 contract with ResTech Services, a firm that aimed to provide internet service to low-income neighborhoods, after the program signed up just 19 customers. A letter from the city did not specify why the contract was terminated, but did note damages incurred by the city for unlawful use of city-owned fiber.

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